#WallowFire: June 12, 2011 6:00 P.M.

#WallowFire:  June 12, 2011 6:00 P.M.
Location: Apache, Navajo, Graham, and Greenlee Counties, Arizona; Catron County, New Mexico
Size: 443,989 acres total
Percent Contained: 10%
Resources: 15 Helicopters, 5 Air Tankers available;
334 Engines; 66 Water Tenders; 27 Dozers
Injuries to Date: 7
Total Personnel: 4,311
Includes 24 hotshot crews; 84 hand crews
Residences: 2,714 threatened; 29 destroyed; 5 damaged
Commercial Property: 473 threatened; 4 destroyed
Outbuildings: 1,216 threatened; 35 destroyed; 1 damaged;
Vehicles: 1 destroyed.

Fire Update

The fire is 10% contained. Currently the fire is not threatening the Eagar and Springerville area. On the eastern side of the fire, fire behavior was moderate. Today’s activities included mop-up and hazard tree removal in the Alpine, Nutrioso, and Tal Wi Wi areas. Mop-up is underway in the South Fork area following the burnout operation conducted last night. Burnout operations were completed along FR 220 south to US 180, northwest of Luna, NM.

On the east side of the fire, efforts by firefighters to burn out remaining fuels between the containment lines and the fire have been successful. Firefighters completed a burnout operation in the Turkey Creek drainage and are building a containment line to the intersection of Highway 281 and the Blue River. Line construction is continuing along the Blue River. Containment lines in the vicinity of Greer are being widened.

On the western and southern side of the fire, firefighters made good progress widening and holding existing control lines and are beginning mop-up in areas north of the Black River. Firelines immediately south of the Black River are holding. Crews are constructing approximately 10 miles of indirect line along the fire’s south end.

Public Safety

With re-entry to Springerville, Eagar and South Fork, returning residents may encounter dangerous conditions. Be aware of possible health-related issues, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Air quality could continue to be a concern; afternoons tend to be better, and short-duration returns are recommended. People with health issues should only return if absolutely necessary. For more information visit, www.azein.gov


Community Meetings Tomorrow, June 13
Burdette Hall in San Carlos, AZ. 10 A.M.
White Mountain Apache Tribal Council Chambers in White River, AZ. 6 P.M.
Community Center in Reserve, NM. 7 P.M. MST

Road Closures according to Arizona Department of Transportation: http://www.azdot.gov

State Route 260 remains closed from Horseshoe Lake to South Fork Junction (milepost 390).
State Routes 261, 273, and 373 remain closed.
U.S. 180 from Springerville to the New Mexico State Line remains closed.
U.S. 191 is closed between Alpine and north of Clifton (mileposts 176 – 253).

Road Openings
U.S. 60 is now open.